Gasol said Hammon has a deep understanding of the game. The former Los Angeles Lakers star mentioned a practice this year in which she corrected a flaw in a standard pick-and-roll drill he was running with point guard Dejounte Murray.

"She noticed a small detail out of the corner of her eye — and then instantly located both the problem and the solution," Gasol wrote. "And not only that, but we were also able to communicate with each other in such a way that we got the result that we needed … I don't think I caught another stray pass the rest of the season."

Gasol, who has been coached by both Phil Jackson and Gregg Popovich in his 17-year career, believes the NBA is a forward-thinking league, but there is still "a ways to go".

"What I would say to my NBA family right now, I think, is, Hey — let's all keep up the great work," Gasol said. "Let's be proud … But let's also not be satisfied."